[Mind-numbed Robot]

I will consider your prediction as sourcery from the Mount of Doom and give it the credit it deserves. Labor unions, protectionism, and socialism, with the resultant unjustified increases in costs and taxes are the reason we are in the shape we are in. Re-embracing them won't solve the problem.

[sourcery]

Labor unions, protectionism, and socialism, with the resultant unjustified increases in costs and taxes are the reason we are in the shape we are in. Re-embracing them won't solve the problem.

I know that. You know that. Many of the politicians and policy wonks know that. But it won't make any difference, in the end. The demagogues will succeed in inflaming public opinion against free trade. Free trade will become the scapegoat for the bad economy and high unemployment. Protectionism will follows as naturally as night follows day.